It’s never been a better time to buy a laptop. With prices significantly decreasing from their original price tags, this piece of technology is more affordable than ever. That doesn’t mean that they’re easy to purchase on a tight budget though. However, if you’re looking to keep to a budget then there are a few useful tips you may want to follow if you plan on buying a laptop any time soon. With the right shopping tips, you should be able to walk out of the store with a laptop that won’t just meet your expectations, but will actually surprise you in regards to price. So, whether you’re sending a child away to college or just want something for recreation or business use, these tips are sure to lead you in the right direction.

1. Buy Used/Refurbished
If you’re in need of a laptop, you don’t have to go straight for the brand new section. In fact, if you’re on a tight budget, you may want to check out what’s going on in regards to the used and refurbished section. Just to clarify, a used computer is a device that has been used by someone else; whereas, a refurbished computer has been used and then repaired to meet company standards for a brand new computer. Although buying a used computer is usually safe, if you choose a reputable vendor, you may want to opt for the refurbished option if you want the laptop to last a while. This is especially the case if you plan on buying a Mac. Generally, these laptops cost an arm and a leg, but when you buy refurbished they come with a certification that guarantees quality. So, you’ll spend a fraction of the price on a laptop that is capable of doing just about anything and will last for quite some time.
2. Reconsider Ad Ons
When you choose a computer, you usually don’t notice that they have lots of ad ons already installed. These are usually at the front of the store because they cost more and stores would rather see them fly off the shelves. There is, of course, a model that doesn’t have the ad on options, which will be significantly cheaper. You may have to ask for this one though. Of course, if you order online then you’ll get the option which is quite helpful for the whole shopping experience. If you’re not sure if you should skip on the ad ons then make a side to side comparison of the computers. Look at one option that the cheaper model left off, say the webcam, and see how much it would cost for you to buy an actual webcam. If the cost is less then you should definitely go with the basic model. A lot of the add ons you won’t actually need, such as some software, so don’t feel too bad about buying the cheaper model and buying the extras as you want or need them.
3. Make It Upgradeable
Sometimes it is hard to avoid the desire to have many of the items that bring up the price of the computer. For instance, extra memory is a huge deal for a lot of people and often, they’ll go ahead and spend the extra money just because they want that memory. If you look for a computer that is easily upgradeable then you won’t have to worry about the huge upfront fees. Instead, you upgrade different elements of your computer over time to help create your dream machine. This allows you to make a cheaper purchase while actually keeping your computer running properly for quite a bit of time longer than you would by simply purchasing the pricey already made computer of your dreams. Everything from processors, graphics cards and batteries can be upgraded when you can afford them, so don’t worry if your simple machine isn’t what you’ve always dreamed of. When you go shopping, make sure you check with your salesman to make sure the upgrades are possible without having to take your laptop into a shop.
4. Research Brands
Buying off brand or generic products is usually a good idea, but when it comes to laptops you may want to stick to the names you know. When you’re shopping around, try to make a list of the brand names of the laptops you’re looking at. Before you go back to the store and spend the money, you should do a bit of research on each one. Generally, you can find a lot of accounts on review sites which will come in handy. This can even help you decide if it is the right laptop for you, so you don’t have to stress over getting something that won’t be a good fit. Make sure to check out a few websites though so you can get an unbiased account of what you’re thinking of buying. Before you decide, you may also do a little research on common problems for each brand. This can be equally important and will help you determine if you may be choosing a computer that is going to be extinct in just a couple of months.
5. Consider Warranties
Warranties can be a sore subject for a lot of laptop consumers, so make sure to be careful when you decide if you want to purchase one for yourself. Basically, most of computers come with at least a one year warranty that will enable you to get repairs done without worry. However, most stores will also try to sell you a warranty. These usually cover damage and will even get you a new computer if something tragic happens to yours. The downside is, these cost an arm and a leg and usually don’t last more than a couple of months to a year. Most of the time, you’re not going to destroy your brand new computer in a couple of months. Although bad things happen, it may help you save money if you get in touch with your optimistic side at the checkout counter. If you have questions about the manufacturer or store’s warranty then make sure you ask before you hand over your money.
6. Shop Around
One of your best defenses to spending too much money on a laptop is to actually shop around. A lot of stores will advertise they are having special sales, when in fact the prices don’t drop any lower than you’d see at another store. A lot of people also assume that warehouse stores automatically sell these devices at a lower price, which often isn’t the case. Even online prices can be deceiving. Some websites will offer a great price and then tack on so many fees that you’ll be seeing stars when you see the grand total. So, instead of just taking the first price you see, make sure you look at a few different options to ensure you can save even more than you’d thought possible. You never know, the store you least expect may be the one that offers you the best price of all. If you don’t want to spend hours on your search, then you could download a shopping app that can offer you the best deal in mere seconds. You may even be able to reserve your laptop ahead of time.
7. Discounts
Who doesn’t love a discount? Luckily, when you’re shopping for a laptop, you’re privy to three different kinds of laptops. For starters, you may want to look for an actual sale. Back to school time, Black Friday and even some patriotic holidays offer great prices on these items. Of course, sales vary by store, so you don’t have to wait for a major event to look for a good price. Once you get the sale aspect out of the way, you might want to start browsing around for coupons. Manufacturer coupons are always great, but if you can find a coupon for a large percentage off at the store of your choice, then you’ll be doing even better. You may want to make sure the coupon is valid with a sale though. If not, then you may want to weight your options to see which is going to save you the most money. Finally, there’s the rebate. This is one of the best discounts out there. Sure, you have to pay full price for the item first, but when you mail in the rebate and receive it, it’ll feel like Christmas. The most important thing you can do when you get your new laptop is to fill out and mail in the rebate. A lot of people don’t even bother with this, but it only takes a few minutes and you can get hundreds back!
8. Energy Efficient
One of the big things you’re going to want to look for when it comes to your new laptop is a lovely sticker that proclaims it is energy efficient. Usually this will be a company called Energy Star, but new companies are popping up all of the time! You don’t want to buy a device that isn’t energy efficient. For starters, it probably means it’s outdated because most laptops now come with it. It also means that it’s going to cost you a whole lot more when it comes to your power bill. If spending more money every month doesn’t make you cringe, then choose the energy efficient device for planet Earth, your great grandkids will thank you.
9. Skip Newer Models
When you’re picking out your new laptop, you may not want to go for the newest models on the market. These will probably cost a hundred or two more than the other laptops, which isn’t going to help out with your budget. Instead, check out some of last year’s models first. They will last you just as long since they’re still brand new and won’t cost you to miss out on any new features. Typically, new models feature very little new content, they just have a more sparkly design to draw you in. As long as you stay within a year or two, you should be running the latest necessary technology and operating systems. Of course, choosing an older model could prove helpful considering many new operating systems often have bugs that need to be worked out.
10. Use Anti-Virus
Part of having a new laptop is to protect it. As soon as you power on your laptop, you could end up with something nasty that can do some pretty bad damage to your system. You don’t want your new programs bogged down with potentially harmless items, so make sure to get an anti-virus installed as soon as you have the internet connection to do so. There’s actually a lot of affordable anti-virus programs to choose from, so you won’t have to spend an arm and a leg if you’re not looking for that kind of protection. Some programs are even free, but make sure you do a little research on them before you download. Reviews and blogs about the program are usually the best sources if you choose to go the free route. Of course, if you order your internet via a cable company then there is a good chance that they offer you a free anti-virus just for being a customer. If you’re not sure call and ask or browse around their website. You may be surprised at the quality of program they offer. Plus, it’ll keep your new machine running strong a lot longer.

Buying a new laptop can be scary if you don’t have the money to spend. Don’t fret though! These ten tips should help you figure out just what you need to find a laptop that is affordable and durable. With any luck, you won’t have to worry about the expense for a few more years after you purchase your new device.